Spinach and Artichoke Pizza

Thursday is like the final three hours of high school before summer vacation (ok, that may be a bit dramatic). The anticipation is just so exciting!

So I have decided that pizza is totally a Thursday meal!

Basically, it is going to get us really pumped for the weekend!

Like an anticipation builder.

Don’t cha feel it building?

Building, building, building…..Bamb!

It’s Pizza time!

Oh, wow. I have no idea where that came from.

That was about as cheesy as this pizza. Which if you are wondering, I think I put too much cheese on!

Wait, it that possible? No, probably not. But for the sake of pictures it was, I covered all the artichokes in cheese! Oh, well you get the idea. It’s a pizza and pizza has to have A LOT of cheese!

So here’s the story. I spent forty five minutes going back and forth between two pizzas.

Seriously, my mind kept jumping from one pizza, back to the other and then back again. I could not decide which one I wanted to do. Finally, my head started to hurt and I decided I would sing Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Anyway, this pizza is really simple! Garlic infused oil, spinach, marinated artichokes, mozzarella cheese, blue cheese (or feta, because apparently there are people out there who don’t like blue cheese!), some basil and some pine nuts. It is kind of a lot like spinach and artichoke dip, just minus the cream cheese and plus some blue cheese.

I am currently obsessed with cooking my pizzas in my skillet ever since this Green Olive Pesto Pizza with Feta Cheese Stuffed Crust (this pizza is so freaking good). I mean the crust is just amazing! However, if this method just isn’t for you, feel free to throw your pizzas in the oven, just note that it will take longer. Whatever you do just make this pizza, the combination of flavors is spot on and it is cheesy, bready, deliciousness!

Spinach Artichoke and Blue Cheese (or feta) Pizza

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: pizza

This delicious pizza is really simple! Garlic infused oil, spinach, marinated artichokes, mozzarella cheese, blue cheese, some basil and some pine nuts. It is kind of a lot like spinach and artichoke dip, just minus the cream cheese and plus some blue cheese.

Instructions

Heat a small skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and the garlic. Cook for one to two minutes, until the garlic is fragrant (PLEASE - watch closely!! Dont burn the garlic.). Remove from heat and add the basil, lemon juice, pepper and salt. Set aside.

After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it back on the floured surface. This amount of dough yielded 2 pizza crusts for my 12-inch cast iron skillet. If you're using an 8-inch skillet, you may get 3 crusts. Divide the dough evenly in half (or thirds). Roll out your dough just a little larger than the size of your skillet. Place on a large sheet of parchment paper.

Place an oven rack directly under your broiler and preheat your broiler to the highest setting. Additionally, place your cast iron skillet on the stovetop burner, turning the heat on high. You want to heat the skillet for 10 minutes. If it begins to smoke a lot, you can reduce the heat a bit. But you want it HOT.

While the skillet is heating, begin placing your toppings on your dough. Brush half of the garlic oil on each pizza and then scatter the spinach (make sure you squeezed your spinach of any excess liquid) evenly among both pizzas. Top with the mozzarella cheese, then the artichokes, then scatter on the blue cheese crumbles and finish with a sprinkle of the pine nuts.

When your skillet is hot carefully lift the pizza (holding onto the sides of the parchment paper) and place it in the skillet. Let it cook for no longer than 25 seconds. After 25 seconds turn the heat off and grab the skillet and pop it in the oven, right under the broiler. Broil for 1 minute, then using the potholder, grab the handle and rotate 180 degrees, broiling for only 1 more minute. Remove immediately and place on the stovetop. Carefully lift or slide the pizza out and repeat with the other pizza. Top both pizzas with fresh basil. Slice and serve!

*If you prefer to make the pizza completely in the oven just skip the skillet and broiler. Instead heat your oven to 350 degrees and bake your pizza for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and top with basil. Let sit five minutes and slice and serve.

Mmmmm delicious! You killing me with these juicy photos!!! Would love a little piece of pizza right now:) By the way, I’m hosting a link up and would love to see your recipe there!http://dcinstyle.com/

I had never considered making skillet pizza, mostly because I’m madly in love with my pizza stone. But I do have a miniature cast iron skillet, and all this talk about garlic infused oil has me imagining adorable, delectable personal pizzas. I think I’ll have to give it a try soon.

Excuse my drool! This looks spectacular I actually have some TJ’s whole wheat pizza dough in the fridge- pizza for lunch tomorrow! I have never cooked a pizza in a skillet- love finding out about new techniques!

You’re on a roll! The first two recipes I clicked on the Addicted to Recipes linky party were yours! I am apparently irresistibly drawn to your food (and pictures). This looks so awesome. And no, there is no such thing as too much cheese.

Hi! You were the link before me at the Shabby Creek Cottage link party! I just want to stop by and say hi! I love this pizza! Artichoke’s are definitely one of my favorite foods! I have pinned for later! Thanks for sharing!

Tieghan, This pizza is divine! I love spinach and artichoke pizza when I go out. DUH, never thought to make one at home! I will definitely give this a try. Thanks so much for linking up all your wonderful recipes each week 🙂 Makes me hungry! Michelle

Holy cow!! This spinach and artichoke pizza looks so yummy! We are the biggest pizza fans ever! Thanks for linking up to our Strut Your Stuff Saturday. We would love to have you share this on our new sister blog – MyRecipeMagic.com. It has so many fun features and will drive traffic back to your blog. Have a great weekend. -The Six Sisters

Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for rookie blog writers?

Meet Tieghan Gerard.

I’m Tieghan, the recipes you’ll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!